No. 3 Hawkeyes Down No. 2 Cowboys for Fifth Straight Year

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The third-ranked University of Iowa wrestling team defeated No. 2 Oklahoma State, 21-16, on Sunday night on Mediacom Mat at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It was the Hawkeyes fifth straight win over the Cowboys and Iowa has won nine of the last 11 meetings. 

The Hawkeyes won six bouts and got bonus points at three weights. 

“Good performance tonight as a team,” said head coach Tom Brands. “Still getting better.” 

Oklahoma State got the dual at 125 pounds with a major decision from No. 4 Troy Spratley over Joey Cruz, 17-3. 

At 133, Iowa responded with a major decision of its own from Drake Ayala over Rin Sakamoto, 11-1. 

Oklahoma State responded right back with a major decision at 141 pounds with fifth-ranked Tagen Jamison winning over Jace Rhodes, 8-0. 

Kyle Parco added a decision over No. 18 Carter Young, 7-1, at 149 pounds. Jacori Teemer added a decision at 157 pounds to send the Hawkeyes to the break leading 10-8. Teemer defeated No. 14 Caleb Fish, 10-6. 

Michael Caliendo got the Hawkeyes bonus points via a major decision at 165 pounds winning, 10-1, over No. 6 Cameron Amine. 

“I think I have learned a lot about myself this year,” said Caliendo. “I know I can go out and get majors against tough guys. Get bonus points for the team. Knew it was going to be a tough dual so in my head I am trying to score as many team points as possible. Got it done, got four. Wish I got more.” 

No. 3 Dean Hamiti Jr. won a decision over Nelson Brands at 174 pounds. Brands scored a third period escape to prevent bonus points. 

True freshman Angelo Ferrari won a sudden victory decision over third-ranked Dustin Plott at 184 pounds to extend the Hawkeye lead to 17-11, with two matches to go.

“Gotta score points,” said Ferrari. “It wasn’t my best match. Didn’t finish two or three of my attacks. But I pushed through, which I am glad I did. On my worst night I still need to be the best in the country, and that’s what I have to do. Gotta keep getting better.” 

Stephen Buchanan would take care of business against No. 6 Luke Surber winning a 10-1 major decision at 197 to clinch the dual. 

At heavyweight, a technical fall for third-ranked Wyatt Hendrickson closed out the dual as he defeated Ben Kueter, 18-3. 

#3 Iowa 21, #2 Oklahoma State 16
125 – #4 Troy Spratley (O) major dec. #16 Joey Cruz (I), 17-3
133 – #2 Drake Ayala (I) major dec. Rin Sakamoto (O), 11-1
141 – #5 Tagen Jamison (O) major dec. Jace Rhodes (I), 8-0
149 – #3 Kyle Parco (I) dec. #18 Carter Young (O), 7-1
157 – #3 Jacori Teemer (I) dec. #14 Caleb Fish (O), 10-6
165 – #2 Michael Caliendo (I) major dec. #6 Cameron Amine (O), 10-1
174 – #3 Dean Hamiti Jr. (O) dec. Nelson Brands (I), 8-1
184 – Angelo Ferrari (I) dec. #3 Dustin Plott (O), 6-3 SV1
197 – #1 Stephen Buchanan (I) major dec. #6 Luke Surber (O), 10-1
285 – #3 Wyatt Hendrickson (O) tech. fall #11 Ben Kueter (I), 

Officials: Nicholas Grosso, Titus Godbolt 
Attendance: 14,847